Author

Publication Date

Type of Culminating Activity

Dissertation

Degree Title

EdD in Curriculum & Instruction

Department

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies

Major Advisor

Dr. Susan Martin

Second Advisor

Dr. Bruce Robbins

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe what four seventh-grade teachers in four districts in southern Idaho do that helps achievement on both the Direct Writing Assessment (DWA) and Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). Through analysis of interview, observations, and classroom documents, similarities and differences between the four teachers was documented and reported. The results of this study suggest there are key practices that these teachers have in common that may contribute to student test success, but it also suggests that state standards and assessments influence the teaching practices of these successful teachers in both positive and negative ways.